Nike Ja 1 “Bright Mandarin” Coming Soon

The Nike Ja 1 is a game-changing sneaker that is set to redefine the way the game is played. Despite Ja Morant’s off-court troubles (currently suspended for 25 games), Nike is continuing their relationship with the NBA star. To say the least, the 2022-2023 NBA season has been a turbulent one for Ja Morant and Memphis Grizzlies fans. However, Morant’s performance stood out as he led the team with an average of 24.6 points per game, despite their first-round exit in the 2023 playoffs.

Ja Morant signed a multiple-year deal with Nike back in 2019, and it looks like Nike is willing to at least see that deal out. Also, the Ja 1 is a low-top, versatile sneaker that allows Morant to build up the explosiveness he needs to create those highlight dunks. This pair in particular, dressed in vibrant shades of orange and blue, is the perfect combination of style and performance in a basketball sneaker.

Read More: Ja Morant Sneakers Sell Out Instantly After Recent De-Listing

“Bright Mandarin” Nike Ja 1

Image via Sneaker News
Image via Sneaker News

Regrettably, Nike will only release this pair in grade school sizing, which is unfortunate for adult basketball players. Bright Mandarin, Opti Yellow, Black, and Baltic Blue make up the bold color scheme of the Nike Ja 1. This sneaker, which is made of a mesh and leather blend, has distinctive wraparound Swoosh and Yellow mesh laces on an orange foundation. Also, the Blue “Ja” tongue branding and the embroidered number “12” on the heels further enhance its charm. A black midsole with speckles and a blue rubber outsole complete the look.

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Sneaker News reports that Nike will release this pair of Nike Ja 1’s on August 12th. Given the sneaker will only be available in grade school sizes, the price of this pair will be $90. Also, make sure to let us know what you think about Ja Morant and this colorway in the comments below. Furthermore, keep an eye on HNHH for up-to-date announcements and news within the sneaker community. We promise we’ll bring you the latest releases from the industry’s top brands.

Nike Ja 1
Image via Sneaker News
Image via Sneaker News
Image via Sneaker News

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Nike Shares Statement on Ja Morant’s Suspension: ‘We Will Continue to Support Him’

Ja Morant Will Not be Charged by Colorado Authorities, Will Miss Next 4 Games

Following his 25-game suspension, Nike released a statement supporting Ja Morant. The statement came minutes after Silver’s decision, offering support during his forthcoming suspension.

“We are pleased that Ja is taking accountability and prioritizing his well-being,” Nike said. “We will continue to support him on and off the court.”

The NBA Players Association is speaking out against the length of the suspension received by Ja Morant.

Ja Morant is suspended by the NBA for the first 25 games of the 2023-24 NBA season. The suspension is said to have conditions for his return to the Memphis Grizzlies.

As part of the suspension, Morant cannot participate in any public league or team activities, including preseason games. Morant will lose just over $300,000 per game. He will need to complete a league-created program before he can return.

“Ja has expressed his remorse and accepted responsibility for his actions, and we support him unequivocally as he does whatever is necessary to represent himself, our players and our league in the best possible light,” NBPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio said in a statement. “As to the discipline imposed … we believe it is excessive and inappropriate for a number of reasons, including the facts involved in this particular incident, and that it is not fair and consistent with past discipline in our league.”

In a statement, the NBA said Morant “wielded the firearm while knowing that he was being recorded … despite having made commitments to the NBA and public statements that he would not repeat the conduct for which he was previously disciplined.”

“I’ve had time to reflect and I realize how much hurt I’ve caused,” Morant said in a statement issued Friday. “I want to apologize to the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates and the city of Memphis. To Adam Silver, Zach Kleiman and Robert Pera — who gave me the opportunity to be a professional athlete and have supported me — I’m sorry for the harm I’ve done. To the kids who look up to me, I’m sorry for failing you as a role model. I promise I’m going to be better. To all of my sponsors, I’m going to be a better representation of our brands. And to all of my fans, I’m going to make it up to you, I promise.

“I’m spending the offseason and my suspension continuing to work on my own mental health and decision making. I’m also going to be training so that I’m ready to go when I can be back on the court. I know my teammates are going to hold it down and I’m so sorry I won’t be out there with you at the beginning of the season. I hope you’ll give me the chance to prove to you over time I’m a better man than what I’ve been showing you.”

Ja Morant is on a self-imposed social media break, but Internet monitors have noticed a change in his social profile. According to The Blast, Morant has unfollowed his childhood friend on Instagram after the second Instagram Live gun flash.

The childhood friend is Davonte Pack, the person on IG live who caught Mroant with a gun in the background. Pack would attempt to drop the camera and hide when Morant flashed the weapon.

In addition to unfollowing Pack, Morant also no longer follows the MBNO clothing brand. MBNO was owned by Pack and stands for My Brothers, No Others.

The post Nike Shares Statement on Ja Morant’s Suspension: ‘We Will Continue to Support Him’ appeared first on The Source.

Ja Morant Proved Gun Was Fake After Second Livestream Incident

Ja Morant will be suspended for 25 games during the 2023-24 NBA season. Around three times the length of his suspension in March, the revealed punishment is in line with most expectations. However, this means that the Grizzlies will likely be without Morant until early December. In the wake of the suspension news, Morant issued a statement apologizing for his actions and promising to be better. However, his apology has been met with a degree of skepticism from some people.

Prior to his suspension, Morant’s representatives attempted to mitigate the punishment. Sources told Claudia Jordan of The Breakfast Club that the gun Morant was seen with on May 14 was a toy. Furthermore, these representatives claimed that the NBA had been provided evidence that the gun was fake. That evidence has now been made public.

Morant Filmed Video Showing Fake Gun

In a new video released by TMZ, Morant is seen lighting candles in his home with a gun-shaped lighter. This is reportedly the same “gun” that Morant flashed during the May 14 live stream that got him suspended. Morant reportedly made the video in response to family members asking him why he had flashed a gun on Instagram Live once again. Morant at no point argued that the gun wasn’t real before his representatives spoke with Jordan. Furthermore, Morant went as far as to apologize for the incident after the Grizzlies suspended him in May.

However, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has already broken down why the gun’s authenticity didn’t matter to the league. Silver laid out his reasoning while appearing on The Dan Patrick Show. “Taking a gun, live streaming it without getting into gun issues in terms of the propriety of owning guns and the use of guns. I think everyone agrees that gun safety is critically important and that guns aren’t toys. It’s something that I’m thinking a lot about because, again, I’m not going to get into specifics about the investigation. But in fact, if you’re live streaming something to the world that looks exactly like a gun and in a frankly reckless manner, should it matter whether or not it’s a real gun?”

[via]

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SOURCE SPORTS: NBA Players’ Association Speaks Against League’s Punishment Against Ja Morant

Ja Morant Will Not be Charged by Colorado Authorities, Will Miss Next 4 Games

The NBA Players Association is speaking out against the length of the suspension received by Ja Morant.

Ja Morant is suspended by the NBA for the first 25 games of the 2023-24 NBA season. The suspension is said to have conditions for his return to the Memphis Grizzlies.

As part of the suspension, Morant cannot participate in any public league or team activities, including preseason games. Morant will lose just over $300,000 per game. He will need to complete a league-created program before he can return.

“Ja has expressed his remorse and accepted responsibility for his actions, and we support him unequivocally as he does whatever is necessary to represent himself, our players and our league in the best possible light,” NBPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio said in a statement. “As to the discipline imposed … we believe it is excessive and inappropriate for a number of reasons, including the facts involved in this particular incident, and that it is not fair and consistent with past discipline in our league.”

In a statement, the NBA said Morant “wielded the firearm while knowing that he was being recorded … despite having made commitments to the NBA and public statements that he would not repeat the conduct for which he was previously disciplined.”

“I’ve had time to reflect and I realize how much hurt I’ve caused,” Morant said in a statement issued Friday. “I want to apologize to the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates and the city of Memphis. To Adam Silver, Zach Kleiman and Robert Pera — who gave me the opportunity to be a professional athlete and have supported me — I’m sorry for the harm I’ve done. To the kids who look up to me, I’m sorry for failing you as a role model. I promise I’m going to be better. To all of my sponsors, I’m going to be a better representation of our brands. And to all of my fans, I’m going to make it up to you, I promise.

“I’m spending the offseason and my suspension continuing to work on my own mental health and decision making. I’m also going to be training so that I’m ready to go when I can be back on the court. I know my teammates are going to hold it down and I’m so sorry I won’t be out there with you at the beginning of the season. I hope you’ll give me the chance to prove to you over time I’m a better man than what I’ve been showing you.”

Ja Morant is on a self-imposed social media break, but Internet monitors have noticed a change in his social profile. According to The Blast, Morant has unfollowed his childhood friend on Instagram after the second Instagram Live gun flash.

The childhood friend is Davonte Pack, the person on IG live who caught Mroant with a gun in the background. Pack would attempt to drop the camera and hide when Morant flashed the weapon.

In addition to unfollowing Pack, Morant also no longer follows the MBNO clothing brand. MBNO was owned by Pack and stands for My Brothers, No Others.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: NBA Players’ Association Speaks Against League’s Punishment Against Ja Morant appeared first on The Source.

Ja Morant Receives Support From Nike Following Suspension

Ja Morant has been suspended for the first 25 games of the 2023-24 season. The punishment will likely sideline Morant until early December. Subsequently, Morant issued a statement apologizing for his actions. “I’m spending the offseason and my suspension continuing to work on my own mental health and decision making. I’m also going to be training so that I’m ready to go when I can be back on the court,” the statement said in part. However, some have met his words with skepticism.

Morant’s suspension, which stems from an incident in May in which Morant flashed a gun on Instagram Live, has also caught the attention of the sneaker world. Days after the incident, Nike removed any trace of Morant’s various sneakers from their website. However, about a week later, Morant’s “Ja 1 Hunger” sold out in minutes. Now that Morant has been formally punished, Nike has also commented on where they stand with the player.

Nike Backs Morant

Nike officially voiced their support for Morant in the hours after his suspension was revealed. “We are pleased that Ja is taking accountability and prioritizing his well-being. We will continue to support him on and off the court,” the company said in a statement shared by ESPN‘s Ramona Shelburne. Nike has been Morant’s official shoe partner since his 2019 debut. Furthermore, Morant’s initial contract with Nike was reportedly worth somewhere in the region of $12 million.

However, Nike’s response has not been well-received by a number of fans. Some have pointed to the fact that Nike dropped Kyrie Irving after his anti-Semitism scandal. This is being compared to Morant’s numerous off-court issues over the past year. Others pointed out that the statement was likely cover for Nike to avoid admitting that Morant is simply too profitable of a brand to cut ties with. Do you think Nike was right to stick with Morant? Let us know in the comments. Follow all the latest sports and sneakers news here at HotNewHipHop.

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Stephen A. Smith Slams Ja Morant’s Suspension Apology

Ja Morant has been suspended for 25 games by the NBA. While the punishment for flashing a gun on Instagram Live feels light to some, Morant will be sidelined until at least early December. However, the 25-game suspension is in line with both what pundits expected and how the NBA has treated suspensions in recent years. Miles Bridges was suspended for 30 games in April after pleading no contest to felony domestic violence charges.

In the wake of the suspension announcement, Morant released a statement. “I’m spending the offseason and my suspension continuing to work on my own mental health and decision making. I’m also going to be training so that I’m ready to go when I can be back on the court. I know my teammates are going to hold it down and I’m so sorry I won’t be out there with you at the beginning of the season. I hope you’ll give me the chance to prove to you over time I’m a better man than what I’ve been showing you,” the statement read in part.

Stephen A. Doesn’t Buy Morant Apology

“Nobody believes you,” Stephen A. Smith began on First Take. “Nobody believes you. I don’t say that flippantly, I’m a fan of Ja Morant. He’s a superstar that I want this game to celebrate for years and years to come. Me, speaking for everybody here, I believe, not just here at ESPN but in the world of sports. Why would we root against you because it’s better for all of us that you put your greatness on display with no troubles whatsoever because I belive this man is going to win a championship some day.”

He continued. “The reason why you’re not believed is because you already lied. [Morant’s statement] sounds somewhat similar to what you already said on camera months ago with your first suspension. You have to understand that you’re not believed, nobody believes you. You’re at a show and prove point. We know what you can do on the basketball court. But now it’s a show and prove point when it comes to your character. Because you not only looked Adam Silver in the face. You went on national TV, got interviewed by Jalen Rose, and you clearly lied. We hope you’re telling the truth. But if you ask someone to bet money on the veracity and truthfulness of your word…ain’t nobody betting money on that, bro.”

[via]

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Ja Morant Issues Apology After Suspension Reveal

Ja Morant has reportedly been suspended for 25 games after he flashed a gun on Instagram Live in May. While in line with league expectations, the punishment means the Memphis Grizzlies will be without Morant until at least early December. The suspension length was first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Morant has said very little since he was initially suspended from team activities on May 14. While he did issue an apology after Adam Silver commented on the incident, it was not well received. Morant’s comments were seen as being overly vague and generic. Furthermore, some fans went as to joke that Morant had used a chatbot to generate an apology for him. However, Morant has broken his silence to fully address the incident.

Morant Shares New Apology Following Suspension

Morant’s new apology was first shared by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. “I’ve had time to reflect and I realize how much I’ve caused. I want to apologize to the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates, and the city of Memphis. To Adam Silver, Zach Kleiman and Robert Pera – who gave me the opportunity to be a professional athlete and have supported me – I’m sorry for the harm I’ve done. To the kids who look up to me, I’m sorry for failing you as a role model. I promise I’m going to be better. To all my sponsors, I’m going to be a better representation of our brands. And to all my fans, I’m going to make it up to you, I promise.”

He continued. “I’m spending the offseason and my suspension continuing to work on my own mental health and decision making. I’m also going to be training so that I’m ready to go when I can be back on the court. I know my teammates are going to hold id down and I’m so sorry I won’t be out there with you at the beginning of the season. I hope you’ll give me the chance to prove to you over time I’m a better man than what I’ve been showing you.” While hitting all the right beats, the apology sounds very similar to the one he gave after his last suspension. Only time will tell as to whether Morant has truly changed. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.

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Ja Morant Suspension Length Revealed

As soon as the NBA Finals ended, attention turned to Memphis. Ja Morant had been suspended by the Memphis Grizzlies since May 14 after he flashed a gun on Instagram Live. It was the second time that Morant had done this, earning an eight-game suspension in March after the first incident. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver appeared to imply that the league would be coming down hard on Morant. After revealing that Morant’s punishment would be issued after the Finals, Silver gave a hardline response about the incident.

Amid the support and condemnation of Morant and his actions, there was much debate about how long he would be suspended. The first concrete indication came from Morant’s team. While claiming that the gun was fake, Morant’s team said that they still expected a suspension of around 30 games. This was a prediction echoed by a number of NBA pundits. Furthermore, many people lobbied the NBA to be lenient on Morant. They argued that harsher punishment would not mean the underlying issues went away. However, we now know how much time Morant will miss.

How Long Is Ja Morant’s Suspension?

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Ja Morant will be suspended for 25 games during the 2023-24 NBA season. Around three times the length of his suspension in March, the revealed punishment is in line with most expectations for his punishment. However, this means that the Grizzlies will likely be without Morant until early December.

While the punishment is certainly impactful, it could have been far worse for Morant and the Grizzlies. However, it’s clear that Adam Silver, despite his vocal bravado about gun safety, is unwilling to remove one of the league’s biggest names. While it pales in comparison to other punishments the NBA has handed in the past, it’s on par with contemporary suspensions given out by the league. Mikail Bridges was given a 30-game suspension in April 2023 after pleading no contest to felony domestic assault charges. Morant has since issued a statement, apologizing for his behavior and promising to do better. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Ja Morant Suspended 25 Games of 2023-24 Season by the NBA

Ja Morant Speaks at Practice: 'I Never Had an Alcohol Problem'

Ja Morant is suspended by the NBA for the first 25 games of the 2023-24 NBA season. The suspension is said to have conditions for his return to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Before the announcement, Ja Morant’s team issued a statement. His team is floating the message that the gun he was seen with on Instagram Live was a toy.

The report came on The Breakfast Club, stating Morant‘s team in Memphis had owned up to the weapon belonging to a relative in the car, but it wasn’t real. The belief is Morant’s suspension would be 30 games.

Ja Morant is on a self-imposed social media break, but Internet monitors have noticed a change in his social profile. According to The Blast, Morant has unfollowed his childhood friend on Instagram after the second Instagram Live gun flash.

The childhood friend is Davonte Pack, the person on IG live who caught Mroant with a gun in the background. Pack would attempt to drop the camera and hide when Morant flashed the weapon.

In addition to unfollowing Pack, Morant also no longer follows the MBNO clothing brand. MBNO was owned by Pack and stands for My Brothers, No Others.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Ja Morant Suspended 25 Games of 2023-24 Season by the NBA appeared first on The Source.

Rick Ross Supports Kendrick Perkins “Ja Morant To Miami” Take

There has been a lot of debate surrounding the future of Ja Morant. The NBA is expected to announce a punishment for Morant in the coming days after he was caught on Instagram Live flashing a gun last month. Despite claims from Morant’s team that the gun was fake, the league is expected to hand out a significant suspension.

2023-24 marks the first year of a five-year, $194.3 million extension that Morant signed with the Grizzlies. Furthermore, there is a poison pill trade restriction in place until July 1, if the Grizzlies wanted to trade. However, that hasn’t stopped speculation. Speaking on First Take, Kendrick Perkins said that he wanted to see Morant playing in Miami. “We just got talking about the Miami Heat. That’s the culture and the organization I think he should go to,” Perkins said. “They got the godfather, Pat Riley. There’s nothing that goes down in that city without him knowing about it.”

Rick Ross Offers To Mentor Morant

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Morant to Miami is an interesting, if unlikely, proposal. While the organization would likely be a good informative culture for Morant, it’s hard to see them swinging a trade. First, there are Morant’s behavioral issues. Riley runs a fairly no-nonsense organization, so it’s difficult to see him bring in a rehabilitation project like Morant. Second, Miami is already $87 million over the salary cap and eyeing a blockbuster trade to acquire Bradley Beal.

However, the proposed move has gotten very prominent vote of confidence. Taking to Instagram, Rick Ross posted a simple message to his story. “I can mentor #jamorant in Miami’. While somewhat unorthodox, especially given the recent news of Morant rejecting outreach from the likes of Lil Wayne, it could be just what Morant needs. An influential figure like Ross could get through to Morant in a way that an exec or cultural administrator like Riley couldn’t. So, while the move is unlikely, it’s good to know that there are people willing to help facilitate Morant’s rehabilitation, even if that means moving him away from Memphis.

[via]

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